Discharge Instructions for Cardiomyopathy
You have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. This means that your heart muscle is not properly filling with blood or not squeezing the blood out properly to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can make it more difficult to do things that may have been easy for you in the past. But with proper treatment and some lifestyle changes, you and your doctor can help your heart do its job.
Home Care
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Work hard to remove the salt from your diet.
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Limit canned, dried, packaged, and fast foods.
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Don’t add salt to your food at the table.
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Season foods with herbs instead of salt when you cook.
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Be as active as you can. Ask your doctor how to get started. You can benefit from simple activities such as walking or gardening.
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Break the smoking habit. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success.
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Take your medications exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses. Don’t stop taking your medications without talking to your doctor first.
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Visit your doctor regularly. Mention any problems with your treatment plan.
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Weigh yourself at the same time each day. Wear the same clothing each time.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
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Weight gain of more than
3 pounds in24 hours or more than5 pounds in1 week(s) -
New or increased chest pain that is not relieved by medication
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New or increased shortness of breath or coughing
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Weakness in the muscles of your face, arms, or legs
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Trouble speaking
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Rapid pulse or pounding heartbeat
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Fainting
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New or increased swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles
